Inside George Strait’s Private Nashville Album Release Party

George Strait released his 31st studio album, Cowboys And Dreamers, last week. The country music community gathered to celebrate The King’s new music in a most personal, patriotic, and unique way.

Music Row’s elite packed into CreatiVets, a Nashville art museum that displays art created by veterans. Guests drank Strait’s tequila, listened to Strait’s album, and viewed a gallery of guitars crafted by veterans inspired by Strait’s songs.

“I’m excited for you to hear my new record, Cowboys And Dreamers,” Strait said in a recorded video statement. “I hope you enjoy the record, and I also hope you enjoy the art created by (the veterans) and also my favorite tequila there.”

Cindy Mabe, Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, called Cowboys And Dreamers “a masterclass in country music.”

Mabe called out Strait’s producers Chuck Ainlay, who has been mixing Strait records since 1985, and Tony Brown, who were in the audience.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “(This record is) very powerful, and I think it’s extended through the art that’s been created here.”

George Strait’s Cowboys And Dreamers Is Out Now

Executives instructed veterans to decorate guitars depicting each of Strait’s songs on “Cowboys And Dreamers.” Veteran Michael Bennett intricately burned scenes from the lyrics of “Journey of Your Life…” into his acoustic guitar. Brooks Herring evoked “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” on his guitar with wood stain, mirrors and LED lights. Bree Fuller used epoxy, acrylic paint, sand, and hemp rope to recreate “MIA Down In MIA.” Richard Casper, a Marine Corps Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and Co-Founder & Executive Director of CreatiVets, used paint, wood, PLA, and miscellaneous things to build an apartment inside a guitar for “Rent.”

Casper explained he co-founded CreatiVets in 2013 to help veterans heal through art and music. The program started with songwriting and added art in 2015.

“We teach veterans how to tell their story through art just like we do through song,” he said. “All these started with just a blank guitar, and each veteran was assigned a song. They haven’t interpreted it how 90 percent of America might see it, but their own individual story is there, too. There’s a lot tied in from each veteran story into these.”

Strait, also a U.S. military veteran, suffered catastrophic personal loss this year and dedicated Cowboys And Dreamers to his longtime manager and friend Erv Woolsey and his longtime fiddle player and friend Gene Elders, who both died on March 20, 2024, along with his longtime friend and road manager Tom Foote, who passed away one month later.

“I will never forget all of the good times we had together,” Strait said. “May they rest in peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT

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